Masilela explains logic behind Chiefs’ quiet January transfer window

While Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates use the January window to flex their financial muscles, Kaizer Chiefs have remained notably silent. To the frustrated observer, it looks like stagnation; but to club legend Tsepo Masilela, it looks like a calculated “clearing of the decks.”

Following Football Manager Bobby Motaung’s confirmation that the Glamour Boys will not be making any new signings before the January 31 deadline, Masilela has offered a compelling theory: Amakhosi are protecting the “blank canvas” for a new head coach.

Avoiding the “Contract Dilemma” at Chiefs

Speaking on the Soccer Beat podcast, the former Bafana Bafana left-back argued that signing players now would be a strategic blunder if a coaching change is imminent for the 2026/27 campaign.

“Do they want to make the mistake of bringing in new players on three-year contracts, only for a new coach to arrive in pre-season and say, ‘I don’t want this guy’?” Masilela questioned.

According to Masilela, the current inactivity suggests the Naturena board already has a successor in mind. By refusing to spend now, the club avoids the “expense” of paying out redundant contracts later—a dilemma that has plagued the club in previous transition periods.

The Pitso Mosimane Factor

Masilela didn’t shy away from naming the man many fans are whispering about: Pitso Mosimane. Having worked under “Jingles” at the national team level, Masilela believes the club needs a manager of that stature to bridge the gap between Chiefs and the “highflyers” at the top of the log.

“I believe they need a strong coach. A manager,” Masilela noted. “We are all talking about coach Pitso… I know how he manages. But we will need to be patient. We can’t expect him to come in and immediately close the gap with Sundowns and Pirates.”

Masilela’s “Project 2026” theory suggests a shift in mentality at Naturena—prioritising long-term stability over short-term January “panic buys.”

The Goal: Build a sustainable squad that fits a specific tactical identity.

The Strategy: Finish the current season with the existing group, secure a top-three spot, and hand the keys to a heavyweight manager in July.

As the window draws to a close, it appears Kaizer Chiefs are betting that the best “signing” they can make isn’t a player, but the right environment for their next leader.